ATALE OF 2 PLAYS - There’s trouble in River City

(Part 1)

April 15, 2012

ISHPEMING - One charismatic traveling salesman, one misunderstood librarian and the town of River City, Iowa, not to mention 76 trombones, will take the stage of the W.C. Peterson Auditorium, starting April 19 for the Ishpeming High School's production of Meredith Wilson's The Music Man.

"I think it's because there's nothing better than an energetic person coming into a stoic town and riling them up," said director Denise Clark.

With its classic songs and storyline, following the traveling salesman Professor Harold Hill as he swindles the people of River City into buying band instruments and then gets into a bit of trouble as he falls for the town's librarian, the musical is one for the entire family to enjoy.

Article Photos

Ishpeming High School sophomores Miranda Conroy, 16, and Devin Murphy, 16, rehearse scenes from The Music Man as Marian “The Librarian” and Professor Harold Hill. The show opens April 19. (Journal photo by Johanna Boyle)

"Everything he does is ruined because of a wonderful woman he meets," said Devin Murphy, 16, a sophomore student who landed the role of Professor Hill. "It's a great story. It's great for the whole family."

The cast of around 30 has been working to prepare the production since February. Although originally Clark worried about losing a number of drama students when they graduated last year, she said this year's musical cast has more than filled those shoes.

"What a group. This is the nicest group of kids. So positive... They're just taking some of this stuff really seriously," she said. "They try really hard to follow the direction of the show."

The show runs at the W.C. Peterson Auditorium Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with shows beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for students, available at the door or in advance at the Ishpeming High School office.